-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- When they can see the world , save cash and get that surgery you wanted , it 's no wonder that increasing numbers of travelers are hopping on a jet in search of cut-price healthcare .

The worldwide medical tourism industry is said to be growing by up to 25 % each year as patients with passports head abroad for procedures costing as much as 80 % less than at home .

Partly fueled by 1.2 million Americans , it 's a sector now estimated to be worth up to $ 55 billion .

But where are the best destinations for medical tourism ?

Last month , the UK-based International Medical Travel Journal staged its first annual award ceremony recognizing what it says are the top facilities offering treatment to visitors .

While many of these establishments offer care for potentially life-threatening cancer or heart problems , patients are just as likely to be seeking cosmetic work to their face , teeth or torso .

IMTJ 's managing editor Keith Pollard says the awards , staged in Dubai , are the industry 's first independent stamps of approval on medical tourism providers .

Airline travel discounts part of package

`` All our winners exemplify the way the medical tourism industry should be run -- professional , offering exceptional patient care and providing the best possible medical outcomes , '' Pollard says .

The IMTJ divided its winners into categories , including best hospital , specialist patient center , dental clinic , fertility clinic , travel agency and website .

Malaysia emerged as one of the prime destinations , with victories in three categories .

Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur , a 330-bed care center that offers airline travel discounts to inbound patients on its website , took the hospital accolade .

Kuala Lumpur 's Prince Court Medical Center won best fertility clinic , while its International Dental Specialist Center was named as the best place for teeth tuneups .

Jordan was named as the best overall destination for what judges said was a remarkable success in handling 250,000 international patients .

Click here for a full list of the 2014 Medical Travel Awards winners .

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Worldwide medical tourism industry said to be growing by up to 25 % each year

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The International Medical Travel Journal has staged its first annual award ceremony recognizing best treatment centers

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Malaysian facilities scooped three awards , winning in hospital , dental and fertility clinic categories